Management of red rot of sugarcane caused by colletotrichum falcatum went: A review

Abstract

The red rot disease of sugarcane is so devastating in nature that’s why considered as cancer of sugarcane. The disease occurs in all the growing states of our country and even several epiphytotic have been in credit in past from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Andre Pradesh, Kerala etc. A virulent strain of red rot was appeared in India between 1932 and 1942 which results withdrawal of many susceptible varieties and finally thereby threatening the sugar industry. A similar outbreak was also reported from Nigeria in 1951. The disease cause severe losses and has been recognized as of international importance. The red rot pathogen effect the economically valuable stalk lead to reduction in cane yield and degradation in juice quality. The source of primary inoculum of Colletotrichum falcate Went, a test pathogen is infected seed cane while the secondary spread of the disease occurs through irrigation water/rain water. Temperature ranged from 250 to 300 C and high humidity favors the development of disease finally affect the juice quality and cane yield. The pathogen is highly variable in nature which results break down of red rot resistant varieties with in short duration. So breeding for red rot resistance is major challenge for sugarcane breeder. Once the disease appear in field, it will be difficult to manage so need to follow the integrated approach of disease management. An integrated approach for management against red rot disease under field condition has been envisaged time to time. Integration of cultural control, breeding for resistance, physical control, biological control, chemical control and biotechnological approaches will be helpful for management of red rot disease of sugarcane.